Daily Mass schedule: After much prayer and discernment, we have decided to change the daily Mass schedule. Beginning September 8, we would like to offer Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with confessions at 5:00 p.m. each day before the evening Mass. Unfortunately, this affects some people—especially the 6:30 a.m. crowd—and I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Perhaps some parents who drop off their children at school will be able to stay for Mass and pray for their children and the school. Please see Fr. Gary’s column for a more detailed description of the changes.
“Will you leave me too?” This is the question Jesus poses to Peter and us in today’s Gospel. At no time did so many people leave him as when he discussed His Real Presence in the Eucharist, and that He wants us to eat His Body and drink His Blood. Today is the last part of John 6 that we will hear in our Sunday readings. However, may the Eucharist (God with us) be the center of our lives each day.
Vocations to priesthood: Lots to talk about here. First, on August 16 Fr. Gary attended the discernment day with Bishop Boyea in DeWitt with a couple of our parishioners. My nephew from Ann Arbor also went. On Wednesday, August 26, there is the annual Bishop’s Golf Outing to benefit seminarians. Thank you for all those attending. Also, I hope to see you this coming Friday, August 28, for games of Euchre with the proceeds to benefit seminarian education. Finally, we miss Deacon Peter and his presence and we look forward to his return on the weekends in September. I hope he comes back! The reason I say that is because in a weekday homily I gave with him present I mentioned how St. Clare’s parents did not want her to enter religious life. I contrasted this to when I first met Deacon Peter’s parents, who when I was vocation director for the diocese, said to me, “Please take him!”
On the way to Diaconate: Larry Blondin, our Coordinator of Evangelization and Discipleship, is studying to be a deacon with the hopes of being ordained in 2017. There are many steps in the process. On August 25 he will receive the Ministry of Acolyte by Bishop Boyea. Both Fr. Gary and I will be attending. Therefore we will have a visiting priest for confessions and Mass on Tuesday evening.
Sports Teams: I have attended a few football practices for the 7th-8th grade team. Many thanks to all of you who will be participating in the golf outing on August 29 to help fund the sports teams at our school.
Seniors’ Journey: One of my favorite places that I have visited is Quebec. Several of our 55 and Over Group will be traveling to Quebec on Monday. May they have a blessed journey!
Mom’s birthday: On Wednesday, August 26, my mom will celebrate her 89th birthday. Her name is Fidelis, which means “faithful,”—though most people call her Faye. Our family is getting together on August 23 to celebrate. I am also hoping to go to her house on her birthday to celebrate Mass with her and a few of my siblings.
Saint Quote of the Day: “All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man.”
– St. John Vianney, Cure d’Ars
Msgr. Jerry Vincke